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WASHINGTON – The Natural Resources Defense Council and Earthjustice filed a lawsuit today challenging President Trump's executive order of April 27 that aims to open the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, and potentially other areas, to oil and gas leasing. The groups filed the complaint in federal court in Alaska on behalf of a coalition of indigenous and environmental groups.

The following is a statement by Niel Lawrence, senior attorney and Director of NRDC's Alaska Program:

"These areas have been permanently protected from the dangers of oil and gas development. President Trump may wish to undo that, and declare our coasts open for business to dirty energy companies, but he simply lacks the authority to do so under the law."

A statement on behalf of the coalition, including a copy of the complaint, will be available here.

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.